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Thyroid Disorders

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower neck. It is a central gland of the endocrine system. It produces hormones that control your metabolism, which is how your body breaks down and processes the energy you get from food. Thyroid hormones also control how quickly your organs operate and how much oxygen they use. Managing thyroid disease is often complicated, since the disease can affect many different organs and functions

A variety of thyroid diseases can prevent the thyroid from keeping your metabolism in check. Some of the thyroid diseases we treat include:

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, which controls metabolism. It is associated with a wide variety of symptoms, including:

Irregular heartbeat

Extreme tiredness, coupled with insomnia

Increased hunger, coupled with weight loss

Inexplicable anxiety or irritability

Inexplicable feeling of being hot

Increased sweating

Noticeable shaking of the fingers

Changes in menstruation

More frequent bowel movements

Swelling in the neckHyperthyroidism can be treated with medication, surgery, or, most effectively, with radioactive Iodine therapy

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce sufficient key hormones, gradually slowing the body's metabolism. Hypothyroidism is effectively treated with a hormone replacement regimen. Symptoms indicating hypothyroidism tend to increase in severity over time and include:

Excessive tiredness

Abnormal weight gain

Difficulty losing weight

Inexplicable sensitivity to cold

Inexplicable anxiety and depression

Inexplicable forgetfulness

Decreased interest in sex

Extreme dryness of the hair and skin

Loss of hair

Less frequent bowel movements

Muscle pain

Changes in menstruationAfter careful evaluation, our team will develop a treatment plan based on the cause and severity of your symptoms. Options for treatment often include:

Grave's disease is an autoimmune disorder that produces antibodies to attack and stimulate the thyroid gland, which commonly leads to hyperthyroidism. Some patients with Grave's disease require removal of the thyroid to control hyperthyroidism. Medication, radiation and surgery also help those suffering from ophthalmopathy due to Graves' disease. Steroid medications can help reduce eye irritation and swelling.

A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is not cancer. Goiters may need to be removed if they cause symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Thyroiditis, thyroid inflammation, often caused by a virus, can result in excess hormone leakage into the bloodstream.

Thyroid nodules are groups of cells that grow in the thyroid. Nodules can either be benign or malignant. Most thyroid nodules are benign. Benign nodules do not spread beyond the thyroid. They may need to be removed if they cause symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing. In some cases, though, thyroid nodules are malignant, or cancerous. Cancerous thyroid growths can affect the functioning of the thyroid and cause other symptoms, including difficulty swallowing and swelling in the neck.